Jamshedpur beat Dynamos 1-0 for maiden win in ISL

New Delhi, Dec 6 (PTI) Jamshedpur FC notched up their
maiden win of the Indian Super League with a solitary goal
victory over struggling Delhi Dynamos here today.

Nigerian forward Izu Azuka struck in the 60th minute to
score ISL newcomers Jamshedpur's first goal and hand his side
the first win after three goal-less draws on the trot.

For the Dynamos, it was their third loss on the trot
after beginning the season with a 3-2 win over FC Pune City in
an away match. This was their second consecutive loss at home
after their 0-2 defeat at the hands of NorthEast United on
December 2.

Despite concerns of poor quality of air in the national
capital prior to today's match, it was one of the better days
in terms of pollution and the focus was on football. But the
8000-odd crowd who turned up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
must have returned disappointed at the show of the home side.

Neither side could find a way to score in the first half
as each of them has one shot on target. The Dynamos had over
60 percent possession but they don ot have much to show except
for a disallowed goal.

Jamshedpur, barring one good run from Siddharth Singh,
had nothing worth mentioning either.

In the 13th minute, Dynamos captain Kalu Uche was able to
find the back of Jamshedpur net off a free-kick by Paulinho
Dias but he was ruled off-side to the dismay of the home
crowd.

Eight minute later, it was the turn of Jamshedpur to have
a shy at the Dynamos goal. Bikash Jairu darted down the left
channel and he had Izu Azuka running on his right.

But Jairu's square pass was played a little behind Azuka
who nonetheless managed to get a shot which was just wide of
the near post.

The second half was more action-filled as compared to the
first 45 minutes.

Jamshedpur were clearly the better side after the break
and they were handed a golden chance to take the lead in the
57th minute when Pratik Chowdhary brought down Azuka inside
the box just moments before the Jamshedpur forward was about
to release a shot at the goal.

A penalty kick was awarded but Andre Bikey made a
horrible effort from the spot and Dynamos keeper Albino Gaomes
dived to his right to stop the weak shot.

But, the visitors did not need to wait for long for their
first goal of the season as Azuka headed home at the stroke of
the hour mark off a free kick.

Mehtab Hossain took the free kick and curled it in right
in the middle of the box, where Azuka made his run. Nobody
picked him up and the Jamshedpur forward connected it with his
head after a good leap and beat the keeper Subrata Paul
comfortably.

The Dynamos applied pressure in the closing stages of the
match but their forwards were toothless and midfield lacked
creativity and they rarely threatened the Jamshedpur goal